Virtually everything in October was overshadowed by
Google's purchase of YouTube -- an event that made more than a few people wonder whether the makers of Gilligan's Island will sue for the half dozen pirated episodes sitting on Google's new servers. Now there are some nice deep pockets on the scene, anything could happen... However, there was also plenty going on in the world of web hosting... Yahoo! revised its web hosting services in October to align with the potential of small and medium sized businesses -- good idea... with ecommerce in the United States set to top 120 billion in 2006! Streamline.Net surveyed its customers, however, and came up with some interesting numbers. A lot of web hosts did their bit for good causes in October...
NaviSite announced its continued support for Labor Exchange Services, ServerPlex announced an initiativefor underprivileged families, and Go Daddy came to the aid of the Arizona Humane Society. With global warming at the top of many people's agenda these days, some web hosts targeted the environment. Rackspace announced it was "Carbon Neutral" and Ethical Host Now became "100% wind powered"!
Plenty of web hosts offered new stuff in October. Hosting Zoom announced Clustered cPanel failover hosting, David's Domains offered support for Ruby on Rails, and Gate.com announced Virtual Private Server solutions, as did KnownHost. In addition, ZeXXo.com launched free web hosting, Pipe Ten offered dedicated server solutions, Domain Depot introduced its "Quick Podcast" service, and Malaysian host Freenet Business Solutions kicked off Virtual Private Hosting. Linux PHP Host also announced new services in October, as did Bonphire, and AllCheapWeb.com announced yet another podcast service, as did SolidSpace -- is there a pattern emerging here?
As ever, a number of web hosts enhanced their packages in a bid to keep ahead of the curve. Bonphire added text messaging, DiscountASP.NET offered ASP.NET AJAX-ready ComponentOne components, Lunarpages increased its resources, and GrokThis.net announced Microsoft SQL Server 2005 support. Easy CGI introduced a site builder in October, AllCheapWeb.com doubled storage and data transfer, Free Rider Web Hosting added text messaging, and Planet-EV1Servers announced new capabilities and options.
Luckily there were plenty of people fighting the good fight against spam and all things nasty in October... Apollo Hosting added CanIt-PRO anti-spam software whileCenzic highlighted blog technology vulnerabilities and Exploit Prevention Labs released survey results on what is doing the rounds. A new one to me -- 'Ham'... Strato offered a 'ham' solution in October, while WebDevel upgraded security, and Network Solutions introduced an email security service. Continuing the fight, Cord Hosting partnered with Katharion to fight spam and viruses, StreamlineNet warned its customers about Phishing attacks, and Planeetta Internet Oy deployed IntruGuard Devices' DDoS firewall solution.
As ever, many web hosts embarked on promotions in October to stay ahead of the pack - AIT cuts web hosting prices, SJK Hosting Solutions announced free hosting, and Ebizindia offered reseller discounts. In addition Liquid Web 'Doubled The Ram' in October, and Host Color announced a halloween special alongside Pipe Ten's winter special. Looking at things from a unique angle, Traverse Web announced "Pay it Forward" hosting while RegisterFly.com launched cut-priced SSL certificates for resellers, and coolblunet offered a free domain name with shared and reseller packages.
October proved an acquisitions fest - OC3 Networks & Web Solutions acquired Tear 2, Internap acquired VitalStream, Traverse Global acquired VirgoHost, Mega Hosters acquired Logic Internet and Global Crossing announced it would acquire a leading Latin American web host. In addition,the Carlyle Group and Providence Equity Partners announced intention to acquire Open Solutions Inc. and Commerce Planet, Inc. acquired Interaccurate,Inc.
In addition to lots of acquisitions, plenty of partnerships in October... Web hosting tutorial provider DemoWolf partnered with DemoBuilder, Apollo Hosting partnered with ScanAlert, Host Gator and Soholaunch partnered, as did www.hostsearch.comHostNine%20and%20ModernBill">HostNine and ModernBill. In addition, imc^(2) partnered with ATG, Intermedia.NET provided exhale with Microsoft Exchange, Morehead Associates selected Hosted Solutions as a managed hosting provider, CrossCheck, Inc. selected Qwest, BizLand, FatCow and PowWeb partnered to launch the ''Hang 10 Hosting Giveaway'', and Comodo and Globaltrust Italia S.p.a. partnered. Plenty of hosts received awards in October too -- groupSPARK,Rackspace Europe, Canada Web Hosting and XIOLINK all got Microsoft gold, while Aplus.Net became an AeA High Tech Award finalist. On the domain front, Go Daddy announced its support for the ICANN oversight extension while iDotz.Net announced it would offer .MN domain names and NicLine partnered with Cube Panel. ResellerClub also announced low-price .BIZ and .US domains, and LogicBoxes helped companies assess the feasibility of obtaining ICANN accreditation and the advantages that go along with it. In addition, Private Domain Depot announced .Mobi registration and Go Daddy offered web site design for .MOBI websites.
All in all, another killer month in the world of web hosting!
